Kitchen Table Songwriter Series begins Nov. 16

A new series at the Varsity will highlight regional songwriters, beginning with the inaugural concert on Saturday, Nov. 16.

That first of the Kitchen Table Songwriter Series, which has been co-produced with Mila Maring and John Reimbold, will feature that duo, along with Mark Stoffel, and Carter & Connelley. This show is sponsored by Carbondale Hearing Center and Neighborhood Co-op.

Mark Stoffel is originally from Munich, Germany, but has been a Southern Illinoisan for a couple of decades. A self-described bluegrass addict, he was introduced to the music in 1979. Today, his mandolin performances can be heard on countless recordings, including his latest solo release “Coffee and Cake” on Mountain Home Records. This month marks the release of Mark’s third solo album, titled “True Tones,” featuring all original instrumental compositions, accompanied by Gina Furtado, Marshall Wilborn, Rob Ickes, Billy Cardine, Niall Murphy, Chris Luquette, Alan Bibey, Marc Pruett and Jens Kruger, among many others.

Carter & Connelley is a singer-songwriter guitar duo that plays acoustic rock to bluegrass with spoken word interludes. Original compositions highlighting the artists’ love of the natural world make up the bulk of the writing. Every song or reading has a story, a purpose, an inspiration. Their love of the earth and family, respect for those who have gone before, and interest in Native American beliefs are evident throughout. Their musical influences span classic rock to John Hartford to John Prine and beyond. They have been called "Illinois' preeminent folk warriors" and remain solely atop this realm in the Midwest.

Mila Marging, a native of Carbondale, grew up in a family rich in art and music. She and her late husband, Kelley Sims, were an integral part of the Southern Illinois music scene. With their band, The Rural Kings, they released two well-received albums, “Dandelions” and “Level Best.” Mila dabbles with several instruments, but her forté is songwriting. In 2017, she was invited to the final round of the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival Songwriting contest. In addition to her partnership with John Reimbold, she is a member of Mark Stoffel and the Usual Suspects.

John Reimbold grew up in Chicago in the 1960s, writing poetry and annoying his siblings with incessant whistling. During his college years, he resurrected his mother’s 1920s mandolin, started playing guitar and writing song lyrics. Over the years, John played and sang at family weddings, around campfires and in a rock-and-roll band with old friends in numerous attics and basements.

Mila and John have been writing together and performing as a duo at various venues in Southern Illinois and at open mics near and far. Their sound can be folky, poppy and rocking, sad, hopeful and happy. The duo released an album of original compositions titled “Without Question” in 2023, and a single, “Pirates of the Shawnee” in 2022 as part of a project titled “We Are for Egypt.”

The show begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16. Doors and the Varsity Bar open at 6. Tickets are $10 and are available in advance at Eventbrite (see link). They also will be available at the venue on the night of the show.

The next in the series is scheduled for Jan. 25 and will feature Doug Anderson, Lucas Wayne and Hugh Deneal.

The Varsity is in in the heart of downtown Carbondale at 418 S. Illinois Ave. For more, go to www.thevarsitycenter.org for more on the historic venue and upcoming events.

Host or Publisher The Varsity Center